THE PRO-ABSORPTIVE EFFECT OF ACANTHOPHYLLUM SQUARROSUM ON INTRA-NASAL INSULIN DELIVERY AND ITS EFFECT ON BLOOD GLUCOSE IN RATS

To compare the effect on insulin absorption intra-nasally of Acanthophyllum squarrosum (ASQ) compared with Acanthophyllum saponaria (ASA) and sodium cholate (NAC), which have proven pro-absorptive effects. The formulation used in this study contained 2IU insulin (per rat), 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and a pro-absorptive agent at the same concentration. We assessed the hypoglycaemic effect of each formulation in 5 rats in the fasting state. There was no significant difference in the pro-absorptive effects of ASQ, ASA, and NAC. Blood glucose levels 2 hours after administration of insulin, given as a percentage of baseline glucose concentration, were as follows for the three formulations used: ASQ: 36.78±11.06%, ASA: 27.46±2.39%, and NAC: 39.94±14.93%. Acanthophyllum squarrosum has a significant pro-absorptive effect, comparable to that to Acanthophyllum saponaria.